UNF Convention Banquet Atmosphere Harmonious

By Genya Hunchak

What a Banquet! Coming into the foyer reception area of the Montreal Delta Hotel Banquet Hall we were welcomed with the happy symphony of laughter, chatter and the warmth of delegates, friends and guests. As we were ushered into the banquet hall, the feeling of fellowship continued as we took our seats. Justin Trudeau, Member of Parliament for Papineau, our guest speaker, had already started going from table to table to greet each and every guest as a friend with handshakes and numerous photo ops. Ewhen Osidacz from Montreal, a Ukrainian National Federation of Canada Board Director, was the MC and he moved the evening along quickly and ably. The meal and service were first class. Our guest speaker was introduced by Les Salnick, the 36th UNF National Convention Chair and he acquainted us with the life and career of Justin Trudeau. Mr. Trudeau is a charismatic and mesmerizing speaker and his handsome and confident manner magnetized us into giving him our full attention. In particular, he stressed the need for youth to learn from their elders. In turn, the older generation must allow youth to be adventurous, to spread their wings and must understand that there will be failures amongst successful youthful attempts to change their world. After thunderous applause, the hotel pastry chef wheeled in a very large specially designed cake celebrating the 80^th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada - Olha Basarab. The cake was not only gorgeous to look at but was as tasty as the lovely meal we had enjoyed.

Taras Pidzamecky, newly re-elected National President of the UNF of Canada made us proud of our organization when he told us that he had to rush off and make connections to reach Ukraine to be part of the Canadian delegation headed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. As we looked around the banquet hall, we had to acknowledge that there were many young Ukrainian National Youth Federation delegates and performers with us demonstrating that the UNYF has a future in Canada as a youth organization.

With everyone being satiated after dinner, it was time to enjoy the surprise performance of the French Canadian folk musical group “La Corde Des Bois”. Their program included dancers introducing us to traditional Quebec-style square dancing which we were encouraged to join in and we did. The evening continued with dancing to Montreal’s Richka Band and a DJ. Our younger delegates stayed on until the early hours dancing and enjoying the evening - “a vy stari idit’ do domy, a vy molodi tantsuyte!”